Bioinformatics prediction of two putative microRNAs in the frequently amplified genomic region of 3q26 in Lung Cancer

Objective: Approximately 1.6 million new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year throughout the world. 5-year survival rate of lung cancer patients is less than 15%. Therefore, one of the most important challenges in lung cancer management is early detection and identification of its specific molecular features to improve patients treatments. microRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of non-coding regulatory RNAs involved in diverse biological processes, as well as many pathological conditions. One of the methods for studying miRNAs involved in cancer is investigation of chromosomal regions with amplifications or deletions in genomic hot spots. The 3q26 chromosomal region is amplified in ~20% of human tumors, including lung cancer. Herein, the aim of the present study is to investigate a candidate gene located in this region, to identify the presence of putative miRNAs.Material and methods: in order to predict putative miRNA coding region, we used several software such as RNAfold, PHDcleave, MiPred, and FOMmiR. Afterwards, for experimental verification of this miRNA, predicted pre-miR sequence will be overexpressed in cell line and lung cancer tissue.Result: bioinformatics analysis indicates two regions with the miRNA coding potential located in the region. Bioinformatics tools recognized these sequences as real miRNAs. Cloning and overexpression of the pre-miR sequence in lung cancer cell lines is being carried out.Conclusion: The aim of this study is to discover novel miRNAs with potential usefulness in molecular diagnosis of lung cancer. The new predicted miRNAs, had no exact similarities with the reported miRNAs in miRBase site, suggesting their possible existence as real miRNAs, with altered expression in lung cancer.

Keywords:

lung cancer , 3q26 , miRNA